Dampening system for the transfer table of a bale wagon

ABSTRACT

A dampening system for the transfer table of a bale wagon having a receiving table, transfer table and load bed arranged in tandem. The transfer table is pivotally mounted intermediately between the receiving table and load bed and is powered up from a normal horizontal tier forming position to a vertical position, where the tier is deposited on the load bed, by a remotely controlled single acting hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic cylinder being actuated by a control valve. From the vertical position, the transfer table is allowed to free fall to the normal horizontal position. Although several embodiments for dampening the impact of the transfer table are shown, common to all is the provision of a flow restricting device and a control responsive to the movement of said transfer table for directing fluid from said cylinder through a flow restricting device during a selected interval of the transfer table&#39;&#39;s free fall. To dampen the impact of the free falling transfer table, one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a selector valve and associated flow restrictor interposed between said single acting cylinder and the control valve. The selector valve is mechanically controlled by a lever arm operatively connected thereto and pivotally mounted behind the transfer table for selective engagement therewith such that during the latter stages of free fall, fluid is directed through the restrictor, thereby reducing the velocity of the free falling table and dampening its impact. A second type of embodiment utilizes a flow restricting device in a line extending from the anchor end of said single acting cylinder and further provides an unrestricted exit line leading from a side port in said cylinder, said side port being particularly spaced from the anchor end to allow fluid to exit therethrough as the transfer table free falls from its vertical position to a point just above the normal horizontal position, at which point the piston of said cylinder has moved past said side port towards the anchor end of said cylinder and the remaining fluid in said cylinder must necessarily exit through the line having the flow restricting device therein. Thus, decreasing the velocity of the piston and transfer table which results in a chusioned impact when the transfer table reaches its normal horizontal position. A final type of embodiment for a dampening system for the transfer table comprises a single acting cylinder having an elongated bore formed in the anchor end thereof, the bore extending to and joining a single port formed at the anchor end of the cylinder. A dowel pin of slightly less diameter than said bore is mounted to the working face of the cylinder&#39;&#39;s piston and extends therefrom toward the anchor end of the cylinder in alignment with said bore. A dampening effect is realized once the dowel pin begins to move into the bore, as the flow of exiting fluid is restricted by the decrease in effective cross sectional area of the bore.

United States Patent [1 1 Butler et al.

[ DAMPENING SYSTEM FOR THE TRANSFER TABLE OF A BALE WAGON [73] Assignee: Sperry Rand Corporation, New

Holland, Pa.

[22] Filed: Sept. 14, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 180,370

[52] US. Cl. 214/6 B, 91/404, 91/408, 214/77 R, 214/762 [51] Int. Cl. 865g 57/28 [58] Field of Search 214/6 B, 501, 762, 214/130, 77R; 91/404, 405, 406,407, 408; 60/52 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,502,230 3/1970 Grey et al. 214/6 B 3,042,231 7/1962 Cyphert 214/77 R 2,939,427 6/1960 Peras 91/404 2,955,576 10/1960 Hamilton 91/404 1,897,350 2/1933 Wiegner 91/404 X 2,848,127 8/1958 Grey 214/6 B 3,120,157 2/1964 Mello 9l/408 2,157,240 5/1939 Keel 60/52 X 3,138,066 6/1964 Walker 911408 X 3,626,812 12/1971 Trick 91/408 Primary ExaminerRobert J. Spar Attorney.lohn C. Thompson, Joseph A. Brown and James J. Kennedy et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A dampening system for the transfer table of a bale wagon having a receiving table, transfer table and load bed arranged in tandem. The transfer table is pivotally mounted intermediately between the receiving table and load bed and is powered up from a normal horizontal tier forming position to a vertical position, Where the tier is .sleres te 9" thelqeilzemzxater motely controlled single acting hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic cylinder being actuated by a control valve. From the vertical position, the transfer table is allowed to free fall to the normal horizontal position. Although several embodiments for dampening the impact of the transfer table are shown, common to all is -111 3,777,904 [45 1 Dec. 11, 1973 the provision of a flow restricting device and a control responsive to the movement of said transfer table for directing fluid from said cylinder through a flow restricting device during a selected interval of the transfer tables free fall.

9 damp tbsimra t. Q.. l. 9.,.f el inat csfe table, one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a selector valve and associated flow restrictor interposed b6iW611 531 l S1lgl 6 acting cylinder and the control valve. The selector valve is mechanically controlled by a lever arm operatively connected thereto and pivotally mounted behind the transfer table for selective engagement therewith such that during the latter stages of free fall, fluid is directed through the restrictor, thereby reducing the velocity of the free falling table and dampening its impact.

A second type of embodiment utilizes a flow restricting device in a line extending from the anchor end of said single acting cylinder and further provides an unrestricted exit line leading from a side port in said cylinder, said side port being particularly spaced from the anchor end to allow fluid to exit therethrough as the transfer table free falls from its vertical position to a point just above the normal horizontal position, at which point the piston of said cylinder has moved past said side port towards the anchor end of said cylinder and the remaining fluid in said cylinder must necessarily exit through the line having the flow restricting device therein. Thus, decreasing the velocity of the piston and transfer table which results in a chusioned impact when the transfer table reaches its normal horizontal position.

A final type of embodiment for a dampening system for the transfer table comprises a single acting cylinder having an elongated bore formed in the anchor end thereof, the bore extending to and joining a single port formed at the anchor end of the cylinder. A dowel pin of slightly less diameter than said bore is mounted to the working face of the cylinder's piston and extends therefrom toward the anchor end of the cylinder in alignment with said bore. A dampening effect is realized once the dowel pin begins to move into the bore, as the flow of exiting fluid is restricted by the decrease in effective cross sectional area of the bore.

1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures DAMPENING SYSTEM FOR THE TRANSFER TABLE OF A BALE WAGON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to bale wagons and, more particularly, to a control system for controlling the movement of a transfer table for a bale wagon.

Certainly the most successful bale wagon of today is of the general type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,848,147 to Grey, commonly referred to as the basic Grey wagon. The basic Grey wagon has a receiving table, transfer table and loadbed mounted in tandem relationship, and in operation bales are received by the receiving table from a pickup and transferred in succession to the transfer table until a tier of bales has been formed thereon. The transfer table, which is pivotally mounted, is than swung upwardly, depositing the formed tier on the load bed. Once the tier has been deposited, the transfer table is pivoted back down to its normal horizontal tier forming position.

Heretobefore, the basic Grey wagon has been provided with a hydraulic cylinder for powering the transfer table between a normal horizontal tier forming position and the vertical tier depositing position. Both single and double acting hydraulic cylinders have been used. Double acting hydraulic cylinders, besides necessitating more hydraulic circuitry and generally being more expensive in application than the single acting hydraulic cylinder, provide relatively slow movement of the transfer table from the vertical position to its normal horizontal position. In the interest of providing an efficient field operation, it is desirable to return the transfer table back to the horizontal tier accumulating position as quick as possible so that bales which have accumulated during the cycling of the transfer table on the receiving table may be transferred therefrom to the transfer table.

In avoiding the expensive inherent in the double acting hydraulic cylinder and further to provide a quicker transfer table descent, some of the transfer tables used on the basic Grey wagon have been provided with a single acting hydraulic cylinder, which allows the table to free fall rather swiftly from the vertical position to the horizontal position. The utilization of the single acting cylinder did provide a quick return of the transfer table that was not present in conventional double acting cylinder applications. But in the larger bale wagons, the momentum gained by the mass of a transfer table during its fall resulted in a sizeable impact with the frame structure of the bale wagon, giving rise to the possibility of fracture and damage to the bale wagons frame structure or the transfer table, or both.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Applicants have been devised a dampening system for use in conjunction with a single acting hydraulic cylinder for cushioning the fall of the transfer table from the vertical position to the horizontal position, thereby alleviating the sizeable impacts of the transfer table with the bale wagons frame structure. Specifically one embodiment of applicants dampening system includes a fluid flow restricting device and a selector valve inserted within the hydraulic circuitry between a single acting hydraulic cylinder for the transfer table and its respective control valve. The selector valve is provided with an actuating linkage which is engageable with the transfer table during the initial and latter stages of movements thereof relative to its normal horizontal position for directing the flow of oil from the single acting hydraulic cylinder through the restricting device during the latter stages of the transfer tables descent, thereby reducing the falling velocity of the transfer table and consequently cushioning its impact with the frame structure of the bale wagon.

It is therefore the principle object of the present invention to provide a dampening system for the transfer table of a bale wagon to cushion the free fall of the transfer table as it moves from a vertical position to a horizontal position.

Another principal object of the present invention resides in the provision of flow restricting means, and control means responsive to the movement of said transfer table for directing fluid from the transfer ta ble's single acting cylinder through said flow restricting means during a selected interval of the transfer table cycle. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dampening system for a free falling transfer table of a bale wagon that is only operative during the final stages of fall, thereby allowing the transfer table to fall a considerable distance at a relatively fast speed before being slowed down.

It is another major object of the present invention to provide a transfer table for a bale wagon with -a control system that includes a flow restricting device that is selectively operative to restrict the flow of fluid from a single acting hydraulic cylinder that actuates the transfer table during selected periods of the transfer tables free fall movement.

A more particular object of the present invention is to provide a flow restricting device in conjunction with a selector valve, the selector valve being operatively connected to the transfer table for directing the flow of fluid from a single acting hydraulic cylinder through the flow restricting device during a selected period of the transfer tables cycle.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a linkage structure interposed between the selector valve and the transfer table, the linkage structure comprising a lever arm pivotally mounted and spring biased for engagement with the transfer table and further operatively connected to the spool of said selector valve.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide the selector valve spool with an extension member and to provide the lever arm with an opening for receiving the end portion of the lever arm opposite its pivotable connection. To actuate the lever arm back and forth relative to the selector valve a pair of springs is also provided, the springs being disposed one within another and in axial relationship along the valve spool and extension member.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a flow restricting device in a fluid line lead ing from the anchor end of a single acting cylinder, and an unrestricted fluid exit line leading from a side port along the cylinder, the side port being particularly spaced from said anchor end to allow fluid to exit unrestrictly from said cylinder as the transfer table free falls from said vertical position to a point just above the normal horizontal position at which point the piston of said cylinder has moved past said side port toward the anchor end due to the particular spacing of the side port, thereby necessitating the exit of fluid through the line leading from the anchor end of the cylinder having the flow restricting device therein as the transfer table free falls from said point just above the normal horizontal position to said horizontal position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dampening system for the transfer table of a bale wagon in which a bore is formed within the anchor end of a single acting hydraulic cylinder and extends to and joins a main port in the same anchor end, and wherein a dowel pin of slightly less diameter than said bore is fixed to the working face of said cylinders piston and extends therefrom toward said anchor end in alignment with said bore for insertion therein as said piston approaches the anchor end, the insertion of said dowel pin into said bore resulting in the restriction of fluid flow from the cylinder during the final stages of the transfer tables descent, thereby reducing the falling velocity thereof and cushioning its impact.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and obvious from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merelyillustrative of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bale wagon incorporating the dampening system comprising the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing one embodiment of the dampening system mounted generally behind the transfer table of the bale wagon.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic illustrations of the hydraulic circuitry of the present invention for two respective embodiments.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic illustrations of the hydraulic circuitry of the present invention for two other embodiments.

With particular reference to the drawings, particularly FIG. 1, a bale wagon is indicated generally by the numeral 10, the bale wagon shown being of the basic three table Grey type which, as previously pointed out, is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,848,147. Bale wagon 10 basically comprises a chassis or frame structure 12 having a pair of front rotatively mounted wheels 14 and a pair of rear rotatively mounted wheels 14 (only one wheel of each pair being shown).

Offset to one side of the front of the chassis 12 is a cab structure 18 for housing the operator and the controls (not shown) necessary in the operation of the present bale wagon. Mounted to one side of the chassis 12 is a pickup 20 for picking up bales from the field as the bale wagon 10 is propelled forwardly over the ground G. Pivotally mounted about a transverse axis to the forward portion of the chassis structure 12 is a first table 22, the first table 22 being disposed adjacent the pickup 20 for receiving bales therefrom.

Disposed behind the receiving table 22 is a transfer or second table 24. The transfer table 24 includes a pair of laterally spaced pivot arms 26 that are fixed to the rear thereof and extend generally upwardly therefrom where they are pivotally connected about a transverse axis 28 supported within a pair of support members 32, the support members 32 being fixed to and extending upright from the chassis structure 12. To provide additional support to the upright support members 32, a pair of braces 34 extend diagonally between the upright supports 32 and the chassis structure 12. For actuating the transfer table 24 between a normal horizontal position (shown in solid lines of FIG. 1) and a vertical tier.

depositing position (shown in dotted lines of FIG. 1), a single acting hydraulic cylinder 30 is provided. The housing of the cylinder 30 is anchored to the chassis structure 12, while the rod end is connected to the underside of the transfer table 24.

Spaced behind the transfer table 24 is a load bed 36, the load bed being pivotally mounted about a transverse axis 38 which generally extends in parallel relationship relative to the pivot axis 28 of the transfer table. Mounted on the forward portion of the load bed 36 is a tine arch mechanism, indicated generally by the numeral 40. The tine arch mechanism 40 defines an archway whereby tiers being formed on the transfer table 28 may pass therethrough for disposition on the load bed 36 as the transfer table is pivoted up to its tier depositing position (shown in dotted lines of FIG. 1). It is also noted that the tine arch mechanism 40 includes tine means for engaging the forwardmost tier and stabilizing the same and preventing it from tumbling forwardly from the load bed 36 as the bale wagon moves over rough terrain. For providing additional stability to the load of bales being carried by the load bed 36, a pair of side boards 46 is provided, one of the side boards being disposed along each forward side of the load bed 36. The side boards 46 are mounted on a pair of braces 42,44 which are disposed on respective sides of the load bed. A rolling rack 48 of the general type shown and disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,502,230 is operatively associated with the load bed 36. The rolling rack 48 is adapted to move rearwardly as the individual tiers are being stacked on the load bed. The load bed 36 is further provided with a plurality of laterally spaced upright fingers 50 fixed about the rear end thereof. Fingers 50 lend support to the stack when the load bed is pivoted upwardly about transverse axis 38 for stacking on the ground, and further are utilized to penetrate the bottom of a stack when retrieving. Also shown in FIG. 1 are push off feet 52 which are utilized during the stacking operation to push the stack from the load bed 36 as the load of bales are being stacked on the ground. It is apparent that power means must be provided to pivot the load bed 36 about the transverse axis 38 during stacking and retrieving operations. This power means, in the present case, is provided in hydraulic cylinder means 54 interconnected between the load bed and chassis structure 12.

A first embodiment of the dampening system for the transfer table 24 is shown in FIG. 2. With reference to FIG. 2, a two position selector valve, indicated generally by numeral 56, is fastened to brace 34 by a bolt assembly 58. The selector valve 56 comprises a body 64 having a spool 66 extending outwardly therefrom towards the transfer table 24. Connected to spool 66 by a connecting link 70 is a spool extension 78. As particularly illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the selector valve 56 is disposed between the transfer tables single acting cylinder 30 and a control valve therefore and interconnected to each by lines 60 and 62.

The selector valve 56 is actuated between its two positions, a retracted position and an extended position, by a spring biased lever arm 74 disposed immediately behind the transfer table 24. The lever arm 74 is pivotally mounted generally above the selector valve 56 about axis 76 and extends generally downwardly therefrom where its lower end abuts against the rear of the transfer table when the transfer table is in its normal horizontal position. An opening, not shown, is provided intermediately within the lever arm 74 for receiving the forward portion of the spool extension 68. A cotter pin 78, or other suitable means, is fastened within the outer portion of the spool extension 68 for confining the lever arm therealong. Interposed between the lever arm 74 and the valve body 64 is an outer compression spring 82 tending to bias the lever arm 74 forwardly from a rearward position, assumed while the transfer table is in its normal horizontal position, to a forward position when the transfer table is raised, as shown in dotted lines of FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be observed that the movement of the lever arm to its forward position (shown in dotted lines of FIG. 2) results in the valve spool being pulled outwardly from its normal retracted position to the extended position. To return the valve spool to the retracted position as the lever arm 74 is pivoted back to its normal rearward position by the engagement of the transfer table therewith, a second inner spring 80, disposed within the outer spring 82, is inserted between the lever arm 74 and a stop 72 spaced forwardly of the connecting link 70. Thus, when the lever arm 74 is in its normal rearward position, the inner spring 80 exerts a force against stop 72, causing the selector valve spool to assume the retracted position. For purposes of clarity, springs 80 and 82 are shown in cross section in FIG. 2 so that a better appreciation of their relationship to the spool and lever arm may be gained.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the first embodiment as shown in FIG. 2. It is noted that the selector valve 56 is a two port valve being interconnected to the single acting cylinder 30 of the transfer table by line 60 and interconnected to a control valve 84 (shown by block diagram) by line 62. The transfer table control valve 84, which as just indicated is shown in block diagram, can be of any conventional design compatible with the total hydraulic system of the bale wagon in which it is employed. An example of such a control valve and its relationship with other components of a bale wagons hydraulic circuit is shown and described in US. Pat. No. 3,502,230, assigned to the assignee of the present application. Viewing the selector valve 56, as shown in FIG. 3, it will be noted that in the normal retracted position lines 62 and 60 will be interconnected by a flow restricting device 86a and a check valve 88 disposed functionally in parallel relationship. In the extended position, lines 62,60 will be interconnected by a single connecting line represented by numeral 90 in FIG. 3. V

In operation of the system illustrated in FIG. 3, once a tier has been formed on the transfer table 24, the control valve 84 is actuated and directs fluid through line 62, through selector valve 56 and the one Way check valve 88 built therein, through line 60 into the anchor end of hydraulic cylinder 30, causing the transfer table 24 to pivot upwardly. As the transfer table pivots upwardly, lever arm 74 is pushed forwardly by the outer spring 82, causing the valve spool to be shifted outwardly to the extended position. Preferably the shifting of the selector valve 56 will take place at a point where the forward portion of the transfer table 24 is approximately inches from its normal horizontal position. After the selector valve has been shifted to the extended position, fluid from the control valve 84 now flows through the straight line connection 90 of the selector valve 56, through line 60, into the anchor end of hydraulic cylinder 30, causing the transfer table to continue to pivot upwardly. After the transfer table 24 has reached its vertical position and has deposited the tier thereon on the load bed 36, the control valve 84 is shifted by means, not shown, to allow fluid to flow from the anchor end of the cylinder 30 back through the straight line connection 90 of the selector valve 56, allowing the transfer table 24 to free fall at a relatively swift speed. Once the transfer table 24 has reached its latter stages of decent, the rear thereof engages lever arm 74 and returns it to its normal rearward position. The force of the inner spring against stop 72 causes the selector valve to be shifted to the normal retracted position. As previously pointed out, the valve shift will preferably occur when the forward portion of the trans fer table 24 is approximately 10 inches from its normal horizontal resting position. In the retracted position fluid flowing from the anchor end of the hydraulic cylinder 30 now flows back through the flow restricting device 86a because return flow is blocked by the one way check valve 88. The flow restricting 86a reduces the flow rate of the fluid returning from the anchor end of the cylinder 30 and consequently reduces the falling velocity of the transfer table 24, thereby reducing its impact when it reaches its normal horizontal position.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a second hydraulic system for dampening the impact of the transfer table during the latter stages of free fall from a vertical tier forming position. This alternate embodiment employs the same basic principles and concepts as employed by the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. The basic distinction lies in the provision of the flow restricting device externally of the selector valve. Viewing this alternate system it is noted that the selector valve, here indicated by numeral 56b, is of a two position nature but includes three ports as opposed to the two ports of the selector valve shown inFIG. 3. Also the flow restricting device referred to as numeral 86b is a one way or unidirectional flow restricting device, only restricting fow of fluid moving from line 600 into line 62b and allowing free flow of fluid from line 62b into line 60c.

In the operation of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, when the selector valve 56b is in the retracted position fluid flows from the transfer table control valve 84, into line 62b, straight through the flow restricting device 86b (although not restricted), into line 600, into line 60b and on into the anchor end of hydraulic cylinder 30, causing the transfer table to pivot upwardly. Once the transfer table 24 has pivoted a slight distance upwardly, the lever arm 74 causes the selector valve 56 to be shifted to the extended position, causing fluid to flow from line 62b, over to line 60d, into line 60b and onto the anchor end of hydraulic cylinder 30, causing the transfer table 24 to be continually pivoted upwardly towards its vertical tier depositing position. Just as previously described, the transfer table is adapted to free fall from the vertical position with the fluid moving from the anchor end of hydraulic cylinder 30, through line 60b, through line 60b and back over to line 62b. Once the free falling table reaches its latter stages of descent, the selector valve 56b is shifted back to its normal retracted position, causing the return flow of fluid to move from line 60b, through line 60c and through the flow restricting device 86b, thereby reducing the velocity of the free falling table and dampening its impact with the chassis structure 12.

Turning to FIG. 5, another embodiment of a transfer table dampening system is shown therein. Viewing this third embodiment, it is noted that the hydraulic circuitry interconnecting the single acting cylinder 30 and the transfer table control valve 84 includes a pair of lines 92,94, line 92 being termed an anchor end line as it joins an anchor port 96 and line 94 being termed an unrestricted side line as it joins side port 98. Inserted within anchor line 92 is a one way or unidirectional flow restricting device 860, restricting fluid flow from cylinder 30 to the transfer table control valve 84. It is noted that side line 94 simply by-passes unidirectional restrictor 86c and joins anchor line 92 at a point between the restrictor and control valve 84. Disposed in side line 94 is a check valve 880 orientated to check flow into the side of the cylinder while allowing flow therefrom. Realizing that the stroke of the piston in cylinder 30 is proportional to the travel distance of the transfer table while free falling, applicants have proposed to particularly space the side port 98 from the anchor end of the cylinder 30 such that during the fall of the transfer table 24 from its vertical position to a dampening point just above the normal horizontal position, fluid would flow from the cylinder through line 94 and unrestricted through check valve 88c. And once the transfer table has reached the dampening point (which, as previously pointed out, is where the front portion of the transfer table is approximately inches from its normal horizontal position) the piston of the cylinder will have moved past the side port 98 towards the anchor end of the cylinder 30 due to the particular spacing thereof, thus forcing the remaining fluid in the cylinder out of line 92 and through flow restricting device 86b. From the dampening point on downwardly, the flow restriction reduces the velocity of the free falling table which results in a cushioned impact.

FIG. 6 shows a final embodiment for dampening the final descent of the transfer table. Generally this embodiment is built entirely within the cylinder 30. In particular, the cylinder 30 includes a solid anchor end portion 30d having an elongated bore 100 formed therein. The bore 100 extends to andjoins at a right angle a port 102 which is interconnected to the transfer table control valve 84 by line 104. Referring back to the internal structure of the cylinder 30 of FIG. 6, it is noted that a piston 106 is bolted to a shaft or rod 108 by a nut 110. Integrally formed to the piston and rod assembly is a dowel pin 112, the dowel pin extending away from the working face of the piston toward the anchor end of the cylinder in alignment with bore 100. It will be noted that the dowel pin 112 is tapered for insertion into the bore. In operation, as the transfer table 24 free falls from the vertical position, fluid exits in an unrestricted manner through bore 100 and port 102. As the transfer table continues to free fall, the length of the dowel pin 112 and the disposition of bore 100 is such that at the dampening point the taper of the dowel pin 112 begins to enter the bore 100. As the dowel pin enters the bore 100 and passes therethrough, the flow of exiting fluid is restricted and consequently the rate of free fall of the transfer table is reduced, cushioning the impact of the transfer table 24 with the chassis or frame structure 12.

The terms, upper, forward, rearward etc. have been used herein merely for the convenience of the foregoing specification and in the appended claims to describe the Dampening System for the Transfer Table of a Bale Wagon and its parts as oriented in the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that these terms are in no way limiting to the invention since the Dampening System for the Transfer Table of a Bale Wagon may obviously be disposed in many different positions when in actual use.

The present invention, of course, may be carried out in other specific ways than those here and set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range are intended to be embraced herein.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim 1. In a bale wagon having a wheel supported frame structure; a load bed mounted on said frame structure; a transfer table pivotally mounted about a transverse axis forwardly of said load bed and adapted to receive and support a tier of bales at a generally horizontal position; a hydraulic cylinder anchored to said frame structure and having its rod end fixed to the underside of said transfer table; and a main control valve operative to direct fluid to said cylinder for pivoting said transfer table from said general horizontal position to a vertical position for depositing a tier of bales on said load bed and further operative to direct fluid from said cylinder as said transfer table revolves from said vertical position to said horizontal position, the improvement comprising: a dampening system inserted between said main control valve and said cylinder for controlling and dampening the final descent of said transfer table as it free falls from said vertical position to said horizontal position, said dampening system including a flow restricting device; actuating means associated with said dampening system and responsive to the final descent stages of said transfer table and particularly adapted to direct the flow of fluid from said cylinder through said restricting device during these final stages of descent thereby reducing the rate of fall of said transfer table and lessening the impact of said transfer table with said frame structure, said actuating means comprising a two position selector valve; an arm pivotally mounted independently of said transfer table and generally behind said transfer table and engageable therewith during the initial and final stages of movement with respect to said horizontal position, said arm being further operatively connected with said selector valve for actuating said selector valve back and forth between its two positions during the initial and final stages of movement of the transfer table relative to its horizontal position; a spool member extending outwardly from said selector valve through an opening in said arm and including a pair of stops, one stop spaced outwardly of said arm and the other stop spaced intermediately between said arm and the body of said selector valve; and a pair of coaxially aligned compression springs interposed along said spool member between said arm and the body of said selector valve, one spring being disposed between said arm and said intermediate stop for normally biasing said spool member inwardly, and said other spring disposed between said arm and the body of said selector valve, causing said arm to act against said outer stop, thereby normally biasing said spool member outwardly relative to the body of said selector valve. 

1. In a bale wagon having a wheel supported frame structure; a load bed mounted on said frame structure; a transfer table pivotally mounted about a transverse axis forwardly of said load bed and adapted to receive and support a tier of bales at a generally horizontal position; a hydraulic cylinder anchored to said frame structure and having its rod end fixed to the underside of said transfer table; and a main control valve operative to direct fluid to said cylinder for pivoting said transfer table from said general horizontal position to a vertical position for depositing a tier of bales on said load bed and further operative to direct fluid from said cylinder as said transfer table revolves from said vertical position to said horizontal position, the improvement comprising: a dampening system inserted between said main control valve and said cylinder for controlling and dampening the final descent of said transfer table as it free falls from said vertical position to said horizontal position, said dampening system including a flow restricting device; actuating means associated with said dampening system and responsive to the final descent stages of said transfer table and particularly adapted to direct the flow of fluid from said cylinder through said restricting device during these final stages of descent thereby reducing the rate of fall of said transfer table and lessening the impact of said transfer table with said frame structure, said actuating means comprising a two position selector valve; an arm pivotally mounted independently of said transfer table and generally behind said transfer table and engageable therewith during the initial and final stages of movement with respect to said horizontal position, said arm being further operatively connected with said selector valve for actuating said selector valve back and forth between its two positions during the initial and final stages of movement of the transfer table relative to its horizontal position; a spool member extending outwardly from said selector valve through an opening in said arm and including a pair of stops, one stop spaced outwardly of said arm and the other stop spaced intermediately between said arm and the body of said selector valve; and a pair of coaxially aligned compression springs interposed along said spool member between said arm and the body of said selector valve, one spring being disposed between sAid arm and said intermediate stop for normally biasing said spool member inwardly, and said other spring disposed between said arm and the body of said selector valve, causing said arm to act against said outer stop, thereby normally biasing said spool member outwardly relative to the body of said selector valve. 